String archiving

String variables can be archived. They are
stored in a file consisting of name <short
term><Time>.AVS.

This file contains only data of strings and
have a logical link with the ARX file. In the ARX file the
information whether a sting archive has to exist or not, is
stored.

Info

If no strings are stored in the archive, no
ARS archive is created.

Operations have to include both files. If the
ARS file is missing, data from the ARX file are not loaded.

The string data are stored in Unicode with
dynamic data length. This happens to save memory and is independent
of the defined string length. In the data record of the ARX file,
the position of the String record in the ARS file is stored.
Expections where strings are in the ARS archive are misleading, as
strings change their position when being edited.

In the variable properties an alternate value
for strings has been implemented, so that the archive always has
values.

For the calculation of archive sizes, the
editor calculates with maximal string length.

Attention

If the length of a string variable that should
be archived changes, the dialog has to be readjusted.

The readjustment can either be done manually
with the data base administrator tool (e.g. Enterprise Manager for
MS-SQL Server) or in the archive settings. For all affected
archives: open the tab Save, open the connection string to the
database and confirm the dialog. After closing the dialog the
according changes in the database are performed.

Do these changes before changes are transferred to the
Runtime (by online reload or Runtime restart). Otherwise the longer
Strings could be archived shortened.